In a country of over 200 million people nearly half of whom are women, Nigeria continues to face persistent security challenges that threaten justice, gender equality, and sustainable development. Despite growing recognition of women’s roles in building peace and stability, deep-rooted inequality and systemic barriers continue to limit their agency and access to justice.

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive threat, exacerbated by cultural silence, weak legal enforcement, and low conviction rates. Between 2017 and 2020, over 17,000 cases were documented by Sexual Assault Referral Centres, yet many more go unreported due to stigma and public distrust in the justice system.

Against this backdrop, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), implemented the project “Promoting Community Engagement, Access to Justice, and Protection for Marginalized Populations (Phase 1)” in Kaduna and Niger States. The project responded directly to the CSSF call to increase access to justice, strengthen community resilience, and promote the meaningful inclusion of women and other vulnerable groups in security and justice systems.

What We Have Done

1. Built Inclusive Community Safety Structures

PWAN established Mixed Observer Teams multi-stakeholder coalitions of 20 members each in 6 Local Government Areas across Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Bosso, Suleja, Bida, and Lapai. These teams included:

• Security personnel and civilian stakeholders

• Women-led civil society organizations

• Community and youth leaders

• Legal professionals and government representatives

These teams were trained in GBV prevention, advocacy, community protection, and stakeholder engagement. They now serve as the eyes, ears, and voice of their communities—actively monitoring, reporting, and responding to local protection issues.

2. Strengthened Local Women’s Groups

We delivered tailored capacity-building programs that empowered local women’s organizations with:

• Tools to navigate region-specific threats like banditry and insecurity

• Leadership development to drive long-term community change

• Enhanced collaboration with law enforcement and justice institutions

3. Engaged Traditional & Religious Leaders

As frontline responders to many GBV cases, religious and traditional leaders received training to:

• Adopt survivor-centered responses

• Understand GBV legal frameworks

• Facilitate referrals and challenge harmful social norms from within

4. Enhanced Police Capacity at the Grassroots

PWAN provided training for low-ranking police officers to improve their:

• Understanding of GBV-related laws

• Survivor-sensitive response protocols

• Application of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS)—a key mechanism for upholding human rights and legal access at the community level

5. Provided Free Legal Aid at Police Stations

To improve access to justice for detainees and survivors, PWAN deployed 20 pro bono lawyers (10 per state) at key police stations. These lawyers:

• Offered free legal representation to victims and pre-trial detainees

• Promoted the implementation of Force Order 20 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law

• Actively contributed to reducing unlawful detentions and strengthening public trust in legal processes

Where We Worked

• Kaduna State: Kaduna North, Kaduna South

• Niger State: Bosso, Suleja, Bida, Lapai

Our Impact

This project has contributed to a growing network of justice advocates and safe spaces in Northwest Nigeria, where communities once marginalized are now equipped to speak, act, and protect. Women, youth, and local leaders are no longer bystanders—they are co-creators of justice and security.

Together, we are rewriting the narrative—from silence to strength, from exclusion to engagement, and from vulnerability to protection.